CORN 



141 



i Methods of Planting. — Corn is usually planted either 

 by hand-power planters or horse-power planters. The depth 

 to plant varies with the quality and moisture of the soil. 

 In a moist clay loam one inch is deep enough; but in a dry, 

 sandy soil three or four inches is better. 



Exercise. — Depth to Plant Corn. — Plant corn at several 

 different depths in two kinds of soil, one rather dry and 

 sandy, the other heavy and rather moist ( Fig. 77 ) . These 

 should be in two separate bottles or boxes. 

 In each case, note the time required for 

 the young plants to reach the surface. 



Distances for Planting. — There are 

 three ways of planting for three different 

 purposes. 



If we plan to cut the crop for green 

 forage, to feed in summer when pastures 

 become dry and short, we should drill the 

 corn in rows so the stalks will stand three 

 or four inches apart all along the rows. 

 This plan will produce an immense ton- 

 nage of green feed for summer use, but 

 the yield of ears will be hght. (See 

 Chap. VI.) A southern white variety 

 would be good for this purpose. 



If we want the crop to cut in Septem- 

 ber for winter fodder or ensilage it is well 

 to have the stalks about a foot apart in the rows. This will 

 result in the greatest total yield of nutrients in the stalks 

 and ears. A good variety for this purpose would be one 

 which would ripen in the region where planted. 



The third plan is to have the stalks stand three in a hill 

 and hills three feet apart in the row, with rows four feet apart 

 or a Httle less. This is the plan followed in the great corn 

 region of the middle West. Usually the hills are in rows both 

 ways for greater ,ease of cultivation. The so-called hill plan 



Fig. 77j — Corn 

 planted at different 

 depths to show time 

 required for sprouting 

 and vigor after sprout- 

 ing. (Agricultural Edu» 

 cation.) 



